Economics and Policy of Science and Innovation

MPP 633

(3 units)

Innovation is the hallmark of the US economy. What constitutes effective public policy toward innovation and science in the modern economy? This course will explore varied topics in the economics of science and innovation policy. These will include the role of innovation as a driver of macroeconomic growth, whether the government should subsidize research (and what kind of research), how intellectual property rights provide incentive for innovation, how the US patent system can be improved, and issues regarding innovation in the global economy. Analytical tools learned in the core economics classes (particularly MPP 602 Applied Economic Analysis of Public Policy I) will be built upon and used.